[Kim Ha-neul's FunFun Golf] 'The Basics of Approach Shots'

Creating Hand Forward Right-Hand Cocking
Accurate Lower Body Rotation Impact During Downswing
One-Hand Swing Practice Method to Prevent Miss Shots

Amateurs often miss the green more than professionals. When playing pro-am tournaments, it is common to see players making bogeys or double bogeys in situations around the green that are not particularly difficult.

Many people approach using only their arms. This greatly reduces the chance of striking the ball cleanly. Most players cock their wrists well during the backswing, but if you use only your arms during the downswing, you cannot achieve a proper impact. This incorrect swing seems to stem from being overly fixated on the advice given when first learning golf: "When approaching, do not use your body, keep your lower body fixed, and swing."

When you approach using only your arms, your right wrist tends to loosen. To achieve satisfying results, you need to naturally rotate your lower body during the downswing. Even around the green, subtle body rotation should accompany the swing.

If you move your hands forward during the backswing, an angle forms in your right wrist. This naturally creates wrist cocking. During the downswing, you should rotate your lower body while making the approach shot. If you want to lift the ball, adjust your ball position and open the loft a bit more.

There is a practice method to approach without using the right wrist. Try approaching with only your right hand. When swinging with one hand, your wrist cannot loosen at all. Once you get used to swinging with one hand and then adding your left hand, you can grip perfectly and swing. In the approach shot, the left hand is just an assistant.

Even if you perform a good backswing, if you hold your body still and hit without rotation, you cannot swing properly. This leads to mishits like fat shots or topped shots. To emphasize again, after the backswing, make the approach shot with body rotation. If your right wrist angle remains at the finish, it means you swung accurately. Practice your approach shots diligently at the range, and you will reduce the chances of losing strokes around the green. I hope you save many pars and achieve your best score.

Former 14-time winner on the Korean-Japanese Tour, Sportainer

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.